What a wonderful listen

I have not listened to such a lovely book in a while. So tender, well informed, endearing. It really made me realise how beautiful & special nature is & how connected we are. We are nature, we flow as one. I felt the calm message from nature coming through. Tons of great factual information to back up the premise that nature helps the mind. Particularly struck by the effects of nature in prisons. Really great book & lovely voice to listen to too, thanks Sue

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Beautiful book about the healing powers of nature

Listening to this book whilst on my dog walks was like my daily therapy. As I was physically immersed in the beauty of the countryside, I was hearing all about the holistic healing qualities of gardening and nature. The book invites us to reflect on the life changing impact of sowing and nurturing a seed, based on the author's fascinating research among prisoners, hospital patients and people with long term mental health challenges. The author explores the significant psychological and physiological benefits of sowing, watering, weeding or simply spending time in a garden. As she says in the book: 'When we work with nature outside of us, we work with nature inside of us.' The book helps us to reconnect with our inner self; the real person that we were intended to be. We are also encouraged to reflect upon the importance of just simply 'being' rather than always 'doing'. We are reminded that the gardener plays an important enabling role with the seed; but it is in this interaction with nature, that enables both the seed and human to flourish. I truly loved the book and highly recommend it.

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Such an important book to read !

I listened on 1.2x speed, not sure why but it seemed a little ponderous otherwise, and wanted to know all about the subject sooner!
Thoroughly enjoyed it and found it at time depressing but also hopeful and positive, So well researched and articulate and such an important message. Get gardening everyone !

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Powerful evidence based reminder of our need for connection with nature

A calm and thoughtful listen that reinforces the importance of a deep connection between us and nature. Lots of great pieces of evidence interwoven with real life experiences.

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Well read and engaging.

I do like it when the author is able to read their own work. Adds so much authenticity to the subject. This well researched and the concepts and findings are thoughtfully articulated with interesting facts and true stories of real people.
Packed full of inspirational ideas for helping oneself and others through the generosity of nature.

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So inspiring...

I love this book and continually return to it, as each chapter is so rich in history, personal examples, and linked with psychoanalytic theory. It makes so much sense I think gardening should be on prescription! And I found the reading of it by the author ar a good pace for listening and being able to digest.

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Stunnning

Locked down with this book - it’s given me some comfort and helped me sleep at nights. Sue’s soothing tones and the message within feels so well researched, wise, and from the heart . The message is not always comfortable, as is the reflection of this world but not with covid, this was written before our present predicament . Not always bleak either, quite the opposite , with the joy, wonder and very real benefits we reap when we get back in touch with the earth . But a warning to listen to centuries of wisdom , which let’s face it - we are not very good at in the interests of commerce . Now in the presence of covid the message within this book is so particularly powerful and I wonder if the world after lockdown will have learnt anything - as with the final chapter I think our nation is once again divided between blind optimism or sheer pessimism as to our current political leaders. All I can say is perhaps our leaders might read this book - I very much hope they do and act upon the humanity and healing within. A beautiful and important book, one which politicians really should read as gardeners know this already .

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Well researched and relevant.

Slow down, look at the birds and the flowers.

Think about why you breathe, and why the wind blows.

Science is beautiful.

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Reconnecting the mind with the natural order

This is a very enjoyable exploration of some the very positive aspects of gardening and the effect that connecting - or for many of us, reconnecting - with nature can have on our state of mind, our health and on our physical and mental well-being.

Sue Stuart-Smith gathers together a lot of the evidence - drawn from a variety of historical and contemporary sources and settings - which confirms much of what we probably innately know, that being close to the earth and experiencing the regeneration of plants can have a positive effect on us. The story of her grandfather, of prisoners and of those suffering Terminal or life-changing injuries are particularly striking.

Topical, both from the perspective of the need to look after our mental health whilst reflecting the return to gardens of allotments that many have experienced during the social isolation of COVID 19 - this should have a wide appeal.

My only real criticism is of the author’s slightly annoying habit of pausing to emphasise quotes that eventually feels rather patronising - like we can’t work that out for ourselves. Whilst I found her soft delivery quite soothing and enjoyable initially, after 8-9 hours, the saccharine sweet monotone, I’m afraid, began to grate.

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8 people found this helpful

This is a life enriching book!

Empowering, informative, uplifting and real! Sue reads with clarity and intimacy. One to be heard!

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1 person found this helpful